Catalyst chamber



OC- 31, 1944- J, A. GUYl-:R ET AL 2,361,623

CATALYST CHAMBER Filed April 16, 1943 mucha-n, 7m 1K ATTORNEYS.

` tailed discussion.

" y Ifatented Oct. 3l, 1944 UNITED. STATES PATENT ori-ics UTALYST Jesse A. Guyer, Lawrence G. Mollema, and Carl' J. Helmen, Bartlesville. kb.,

Company, a corporation ot asignan to Application Ann is, im, sei-iai Nn. mins s claim. (ci. zs-zaai This invention relates to a catalyst chamber of the class employed in carrying out hydrocarbon conversions in the presence of solid catalytic material. It is particularly concerned with/catalyst chambers of the character indicated wherein a plurality of. beds of solid catalyst is disposed with the beds arranged one above the other.

Catalyst vessels are of particular utility in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon oils, especially in the cracking of said oils, to facilitate direct heat transfer and temperature control within the catalyst mass. Thusv in the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon oils, it is usually desirable to supply heat to vapors of said oils undergoing treatment duringv the conversion-period and to remove heat developed in the course of y the exothermic reactivation of the catalyst by cessfully compensates for'l such thermal expansion as will be apparent from the ensuing de- Moreover, our 'invention is adapted itc perform its intended functions in an eillcient end eifective manner and in the ab-y sence of various difilculties experienced heretofore the use of other` types of catalyst chambers.` I l' It has beeny found desirable to arrange the catalyst in several separate beds, so that diluent vapors may be distributed between the beds duringA the conversion cycle to control the temperature. This permits thehydrocarbon vapors to be effectively distributed and decreases the tendency of the vapors tofchannel. 'I'he several catalyst beds likewise permit the entire catalyst mass to be regenerated simultaneously by the intermediate injection of regenerative gases or vapors.

It is the primary object of this invention -to provide an improved catalyst chamber for converting hydrocarbons in an efficient and effective manner. y

An important object of this invention is to lproperly compensate for thermal expansion of mechanical parts that are exposed to the relatively high temperatures usually encountered in the subsequent regeneration of the catalyst matetill Another important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character indicated which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and reasonable in initial, operating and maintenance costs. l i

These as well as other objects and advantages will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the `art by reference to the following description and annexed drawing, which respectively describe and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein Figure 1 is an elevation view of our catalyst chamber partly in central cross section;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

.Figure 3 is a modification of a portion oftheV equipment depicted in Figure l.

n Y Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawing. we

haveillustrated a catalyst chamber, generally indicated by reference numeral Il, and including a vertical cylindrical side wall Il.' a top wall l2, and a bottom wall I3. The walls ot the catalyst chamber are made from plate or-sheet metal i4 `of necessary thickness and compositionto vwithstand the -conditions encountered therein in the course of normal operation. The outer surface of the metal chambenis provided with a covering of insulation li that' maybe of the asbestos type, while the inner surface carries a suitable sheath of refractory insulation II. The hydrocarbon feed stock to be processed within the chamber III is preferably introduced there- 3g into through an inlet Il and the conversion products are discharged from the chamber by way of an outlet i8. A plurality of -vertically spaced inlets `I8 are provided inside wall Il for-the ad- 'mission of suitable' diluent into the chamber,

4o whereby the temperature developed in the chamber-'in the course of normal use may be controliecl` within a predetermined range. A

A plurality of. spaced circular hollow partitions 2li is positioned within the chamber. These partitions divide the interior of the chamber into a series of compartments. each of which is lled with a bed of solid catalyst material Il of selected composition kand size. Partitions 2l 'are somewhat smaller in overall diameter than-the internal diameter of the chamber, thereby providing a clearance space 2| to allow for vertical movement of the individual partitions vith- Y in the chamber. Each partition includes a gral'.- ing 22 within which there is a hollow spider arthe course of catalytic conversion operations and rangement consisting of a header!! having an but preventing the passage of catalyst material from an upper partition to the next lower partition. It will be observed that each partition vrests on the catalyst bed therebelow,v thereby eliminating the need of mechanical supports. A conduit 29 establishes communication between corresponding diulent' inlet I9 and spider inlet 24 through a flexible connection such as bellows 30. Upon expansion of the elements of equipment within chamber I due to temperature increases therein, bellows 3U permits relative movement between partitions 20 and conduits 29.

Figure 3 illustrates a form of flexible'connection that may be used in place of the bellows 30 shown in Figure 1.. This consists of a slip joint formed between the lower end of conduit 29 and the upper end of inlet 24 whereby said end of conduct 29 is telescopically disposed within inlet 24. If desired, the relative position of these two elements may be reversed, that is, inlet 24 may be telescopically disposed within the lower end of conduit 29.

From the foregoing it is believed that theconstruction, operation and advantages of our instant invention will be 'readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the apparatus may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim: 1. In'\a catalyst outlet and means for admitting treating fluid thereinto, the improvement comprising a hollow partition disposed within the chamber interme-V diate the ends thereof, said partition being perforated to permit the flow of uid material while preventing the passage of solid material greater than a predetermined size therethrough; fluid spray means comprising a spray inlet, a plurality of tubular members positioned within the partif tion and communicating with the spray inlet, and a plurality of spaced spray outlets ineach of the tubular members; a conduit adapted to communicate at one end with rthe rst mentioned means;

and a flexible connection establishing communi.4

cation between the other end of the conduit and the spray inlet to thereby allow relative movement between the partition and the conduit.

2. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein the exible connection comprises a bellows.

3. The Aimprovement as inclaim 1 wherein the ilexible connection comprises a slip joint.

vchamber having an inlet, an

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4. In a catalyst chamber having a substantially cylindrical vertical side wall, end walls, an inlet in one end wall and an outlet in the other end wall, the improvement comprising a hollow partition adapted to be disposed within the chamber intermediate the end walls and spaced from the inner surface of the side wall, said partition including a pair of spaced iixedly disposed perforate members for permitting the flow of fluid material and for preventing the passage of solid material greater than a predetermined size therethrough; fluid spray means comprising a spray inlet, a plurality of'tubular members positioned between the perforatemembers and communicating with the spray inlet, and a plurality of spaced outlets in each tubular member; a conduit within the chamber, one end of the conduit being adapted to communicate with the exterior of the chamber; and a flexible connection establishing communication between the other end of the conduit and the spray inlet to thereby allow relative movement between the partition and the conduit.

5. The improvement as in claim 4 wherein the ilexible connection comprises a bellows.

6. The improvement in claim 4 wherein the flexible connection comprises a slip joint.

` 7. In a catalyst chamber having a substantially cylindrical vertical side wall, end walls an inlet in one end wall and an outlet in the other end wall,-the improvement comprising a hollow partition adapted to be disposed across the chamber intermediate the ends walls and spaced from the inner surface of the side wall, said partition in- -of fluid material and for preventing the passage of solid material greater than a predetermined size through the partition; fluid spray means fixedly positioned between the -perforate members and including a spray header, a plurality of distribution conduits communicating with the spray header and extending outwardly thereof, and a pluralityv of ports in each distribution conduit communicating with the interior thereof and the openings in the grating; a fluid supply conduit within the chamber, one end of the supply conduit being adapted to communicate with the exterior of the chamber; and a flexible connection establishing communication between the other end oi the supply conduit and the spray header to thereby allow relative movement between the partition and the supply conduit.

8. The improvement as in claim rI wherein'the flexible connection comprises a bellows.

9. The improvement as in claim'7 wherein the flexible connection rcomprises a slip joint.

JESSE A. GUYER. LAWRENCE G. MOLIQUE. CARL J. HELMERS. 

